Marlène Boissonnault Bio
Marlène Boissonnault (born June 19, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Standing 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) and catching left, she brings a tall, athletic presence to the crease. After a decorated NCAA career at Cornell University, she has competed in the PWHPA, the Professional Women’s Hockey League, and briefly internationally with Hockey Canada.
Born in Dundee, New Brunswick, Boissonnault developed through the Canadian minor hockey system before earning a scholarship to one of the most prestigious academic and athletic programs in U.S. college hockey. She is recognized as one of the top goaltenders in Cornell women’s hockey history and continues to pursue professional opportunities at the highest level of women’s hockey.
Early Life and Background
Marlène Boissonnault was born on June 19, 1997, in Dundee, New Brunswick, Canada. She grew up in a Canadian household with strong athletic ties, including a brother, Émile Boissonnault, who went on to become New Brunswick’s Strongest Man and SCC Atlantic Canada’s Strongest Man. That competitive family environment helped shape her early discipline and work ethic.
She started playing hockey at a young age and progressed through the minor hockey ranks in her home province. Boissonnault attended Rothesay Netherwood School in Rothesay, New Brunswick, where she continued to develop her goaltending skills while balancing a rigorous academic schedule. The school environment gave her a foundation in both academics and athletics that supported her transition to NCAA competition.
Outside of hockey, Boissonnault pursued a pre-med track in her studies, reflecting a long-term interest in medicine alongside her athletic ambitions. Her combination of athletic and academic focus would later define her path through one of the toughest collegiate conferences in the country.
Path to Professional Hockey
Boissonnault’s path to elite-level goaltending began with her commitment to Cornell University, where she joined the Cornell Big Red women’s ice hockey program in the ECAC Hockey conference. Across four years of NCAA Division I competition, she established herself as one of the most reliable starters in program history, finishing her career with 56 wins, the second-highest total in Cornell history, and 15 shutouts, the third most in school history. In 2019, her senior season, the Cornell Big Red advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four, marking one of the program’s deepest tournament runs.
After graduating with a pre-med degree, Boissonnault faced a professional landscape in transition. With the Canadian Women’s Hockey League folding, she aligned herself with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA), an organization focused on building a sustainable professional league for women. This decision set the stage for her later transition into the PWHL when the league launched.
Marlène Boissonnault Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Boissonnault’s earliest senior-level recognition came in 2015 when she represented Canada at the IIHF Women’s World U18 Championship, helping the team capture a silver medal. That same year, she began her NCAA career with the Cornell Big Red, balancing collegiate play with international development opportunities. Over her freshman through senior seasons, she evolved from a promising young goaltender into a program cornerstone, racking up wins and shutouts at a historic pace.
In 2017, while still competing at Cornell, she was named to Canada’s National Women’s Development Team roster, an honor reserved for top emerging players in the country. By the time she completed her collegiate eligibility, Boissonnault had firmly cemented her name in the Cornell record book and positioned herself for a professional career.
Professional Women’s Hockey Era (2019–2025)
Following her graduation from Cornell, Boissonnault joined the PWHPA, where she trained and competed in showcase events as the organization pushed for a unified professional league. She also gained international club experience with the KRS Vanke Rays, a team that competed in elite women’s hockey circuits during the transitional years. These stints allowed her to continue developing against high-level competition while waiting for the professional landscape to take shape.
When the Professional Women’s Hockey League launched, Boissonnault signed with the Montreal Victoire. She spent the 2023–24 PWHL season as the team’s third goaltender but did not appear in a regular-season game. She attended Montreal’s 2024–25 training camp but ultimately did not make the opening roster, leaving her searching for her next opportunity.
Minnesota Frost Era (2025–Present)
Boissonnault’s break came on March 14, 2025, when the Minnesota Frost signed her to a Reserve Player Contract after Lucy Morgan was signed by Ottawa. The move gave her a path back into the PWHL and an opportunity to compete for one of the league’s most competitive clubs. Shortly afterward, on July 18, 2025, she signed a one-year contract extension with the Minnesota Frost, solidifying her role within the organization through the 2025–26 season.
The Frost era represents a fresh chapter for Boissonnault, who now works alongside an established goaltending corps in Minnesota. Her combination of size, left-catching style, and NCAA pedigree gives the club additional depth heading into a competitive season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Boissonnault is a left-catching goaltender with prototypical size at 5 ft 10 in, allowing her to cover the net effectively and challenge shooters from the edges of the crease. Her college track record demonstrates consistency, durability, and the ability to post shutouts against top NCAA offensive lines, traits that translate well to the professional game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her career highlights, Boissonnault’s 56 career wins rank second in Cornell University history, and her 15 career shutouts rank third. Her appearance in the 2019 NCAA Frozen Four and her silver medal at the 2015 IIHF Women’s World U18 Championship stand as signature early achievements in her career.
Marlène Boissonnault Career Highlights
Across her time with the Cornell Big Red and her professional clubs, Boissonnault has built a resume defined by consistency and shot-stopping reliability. Her NCAA totals place her among the all-time Cornell leaders in both wins and shutouts, while her international work has included medal-winning performances for Canada.
Cornell Big Red Highlights
During her four years at Cornell, Boissonnault was a mainstay between the pipes for the Cornell Big Red. She finished with 56 wins and 15 shutouts, ranking second and third in program history, respectively. Her senior campaign in 2018–19 was particularly memorable, as the Big Red advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four.
International and Other Performances
In 2015, Boissonnault represented Canada at the IIHF Women’s World U18 Championship, where she helped the team capture a silver medal. In 2017, she was named to Canada’s National Women’s Development Team roster. She also suited up for the KRS Vanke Rays during the women’s hockey club era.
Marlène Boissonnault Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Boissonnault comes from an athletic family rooted in New Brunswick. Her brother, Émile Boissonnault, is a former New Brunswick’s Strongest Man and SCC Atlantic Canada’s Strongest Man, highlighting the family’s competitive pedigree across multiple sports.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Boissonnault earned a pre-med degree from Cornell University, reflecting her longstanding interest in medicine. She continues to pursue her professional hockey career while based in North America, with ties to her New Brunswick roots.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a turning point in Marlène Boissonnault’s professional career. After attending the Montreal Victoire’s 2024–25 training camp and not making the roster, she signed a Reserve Player Contract with the Minnesota Frost on March 14, 2025, following Lucy Morgan’s move to Ottawa. The opportunity allowed her to integrate with one of the PWHL’s flagship organizations.
On July 18, 2025, Boissonnault signed a one-year contract extension with the Minnesota Frost, securing her place with the club through the 2025–26 PWHL season. The deal reflects confidence from the Frost front office in her upside and her ability to contribute within the team’s goaltending structure.
Looking ahead, Boissonnault will look to build on her late-season transition into Minnesota, compete for regular minutes, and continue her development as a professional goaltender. With her size, NCAA pedigree, and international experience, she represents a developmental piece for the Frost as they pursue championship contention.